Welcome to the first issue of Marine Business News, the definitive, interactive marine news service for Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

I am pleased and proud to be launch editor of what will be a timely and valuable resource to thousands of people involved in the many levels of the industry, from manufacturing to marketing axcross the Asia Pacific.

Jeni Bone, founding Editor of MarineBusinessNews.com . ..

With a network of eight marine editors around the world we will updating this site as news breaks 24x7.

You and another 11,000+ readers around the Asia Pacific will receive this newsletter each week with some samplings of the news and the highlights of features that you can access at www.marinebusinessnews.com around the clock, because it's relevant to your marine interests.

To allow you to promote your business to other marine businesses, you can upload news releases and photos using the media upload section in the right hand side bar on the site Click Here to go to News Upload You can also contact me direct at any of my contact numbers at the bottom of each page of the site or via Skype with suggestions for new items, features and profiles.

This is a frenetic and fabulous time of year for all of us, with Shows around the globe, including the Kuwait Boat Show 29 April to 3 May, the inaugural Korea Boat Show in June which we have covered this week, and of course kicking off the Australian circuit, the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show from 22 May.

Whether its breaking news,controversial, in depth, quirky or commonplace, we will publish it at Marine Business News with one aim in mind: to equip you with up-to-date information that will enhance your business.

After you've read this weeks news, you can add your Business team to the Marine Business News mailing list by clicking here

Jeni Bone

Korea set for inaugural International Boat Show Jeni Bone, A contingent of Korean politicians from Gyeonggi Province, business people, and an entourage from KOTRA, the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency, impressed local and trade media and delegates from Marine Queensland, prominent marine businesses and representatives from exhibitor companies with a presentation showcasing the inaugural Korea Boat Show.... [more]

Riviera: the Year in Review and the Year ahead Jeni Bone, Addressing trade and consumer media at a recent Media Insight event at its Coomera HQ, Riviera CEO, Wes Moxey was blunt that the year past had been 'tough, competitive and one of change' for the company, but decidedly upbeat about prospects for the brand in local and overseas markets.... [more]

AMIF Awards – Sailing Industry Dissatisfied Jeni Bone, The two Sailing members of the consultation panel for this year's AMIF Awards, Navsail-Elan and VicSail have registered their frustration with the categories for sailing craft and have chosen not to be involved in the 2008 Awards.... [more]

Emarine (Where E is for Excellent and Elderkin) Jeni Bone, Idyllically located on Roseville Bridge Marina, next to Echo Point café which according to its neighbours is 'a great place to crack a deal', Emarine Australia is the venture of Jed and Evie Elderkin, exclusive dealer for Back Cove and Sabre Yachts.... [more]

Navico instruments selected for Earthrace bymnews, Navico, the world's leading manufacturer of marine electronics for the recreational market, will be supporting Earthrace in its 2008 attempt to set a new record for a powered circumnavigation of the globe... [more]

World and Australian Releases at Sanctuary Cove Media Services, The 20th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show has 445 confirmed exhibitors booked for on-water, pavilion and open air displays. There are more than 390 boats on water alone, stretching 5.1km (end to end).... [more]

Grand Banks chooses Skudo coatings for protection Carlton Bone, Gold Coast company, Skudo Coatings, is celebrating the first overseas order of peelable protective coatings from iconic US boat builder, Grand Banks Yachts for use at its Singapore facility.... [more]

Ethanol, Fibreglass, and now Biodiesel warnings Nancy Knudsen, This week a Los Angeles firm has filed a class-action law suit against US oil companies on behalf of Californian boaters with fibreglass fuel tanks. The presence of ethanol in gasoline or methanol in diesel (biodiesel) is a hot and lasting issue for the marine industry.... [more]

UK Waters - So Many Submerged Objects! Des Ryan, We all knew that the United Kingdom had prodigious tides and amazing currents that are almost a bigger challenge to the sailor than the wind and seas, but what I didn't know was just how many submerged objects there are lying around in those very cold waterways.... [more]

Brunswick Reports Sales down 3%, Profits off 70% Bob Maxwell, Brunswick Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dustan E. McCoy reported today that 'Sales for the quarter reflected lower demand for marine products, particularly in the United States where industry retail sales were down about 17 percent in units in the first quarter. This weakness was partially offset by strong sales outside the United States in all business segments. '... [more]

Marina Central in Singapore Business Times, In Singapore, marinas are usually associated with being in out-of-the-way places at the extremities of the island's coastline, and in commercially undesirable land far away from the city. The two latest marinas to open, however, have put paid to this notion.... [more]

Gov plan to turn QLD into the Caribbean Downunder Jeni Bone, Desley Boyle, the Queensland Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry, has released the much-vaunted Superyacht Strategy, as part of a plan to make the state economy reliant on more than just 'rocks and crops'. The 19-page report sheds light on the potential for the state to soak up the benefits from the global growth in Super, Mega and Gigayachts.... [more]

Training Centre opens in Coomera Marine Precinct Jeni Bone, A new, purpose-built training centre in the heart of the Coomera marine precinct is set to boost the prospects of Queensland's $1.4 billion boatbuilding industry. Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said TAFE Marine Gold Coast would expand the industry's skills base by training 600 apprentices this year, rising to 1000 by 2010.... [more]

Doyle business transition benefits customers Tracey Johnstone, The transition of Doyle Sails Sydney towards providing an increased level of customer service and production is nearly complete. The business model being implemented is innovative. It is targeted at modernising the company's operations to meet current and future market needs, and to ensuring the business's longevity in a highly competitive market... [more]

Sean Jeffery new NZ Sales Manager High Modulus Mirjam Slob, High Modulus announces that Sean Jeffery has recently been promoted to the role of NZ Sales Manager... [more]

50th Seawind 1160 Launched Brent Vaughan, Seawind Catamarans has built its 50th Seawind 1160 and is to be shipped to California - USA, marking another big milestone for Australia's largest cruising catamaran manufacturer and sailboat builder.... [more]

Court told man died after lifejacket malfunctioned Ralph Riegel www.independent.ie, An avid sailor died in front of his horrified wife when the brand-new lifejacket that should have saved him malfunctioned and dragged him under the waves where he drowned. Ella Sweeney (69) sobbed yesterday as she told the High Court that the faulty lifejacket, which cost her beloved husband, Jack (64), his life, had also destroyed her existence.... [more]

New STP65 Moneypenny launched in Sydney Barby MacGowan, The newest STP65, Moneypenny, designed by Reichel/Pugh and built by McConaghy's Boat Yard in Mona Vale, Sydney,Australia, was launched the second week of April and has tested in Sydney Harbor.... [more]

China Proves Key Market for Aussie Marine Industry Kate Duryea, Australian marine exporters have found China to be an important sales market at the conclusion of the China International Boat Show in Shanghai this month. Australian manufacturers and marine service providers attended the 13th China International Boat Show mid April, led by the Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX).... [more]

China Boating Country Report 2008-2009 Magnan Adrien, The 20 pages 2008-2009 China Report provided by MDC in association with CMP-Sino Expo, organizers of China (Shanghai) International Boat Show is now available - and free! - on request by email to adrien@marinedragon.com The updated report highlights trends of Chinese Boatbuilding industry, marina developments and yachting domestic market.... [more]

Austal secures order for Fast Patrol Craft Fleet Austal Media Services, Austal announces the contract to build six 30 metre aluminium fast patrol craft for the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Each vessel will have a small 12 man crew, a maximum speed of 40 knots and will be armed with three General Purpose Machine Guns and a 20mm Cannon. All six vessels will be constructed at Austal's facilities in Henderson, Western Australia... [more]

Earls Court Boat Show gets shorter IBI, The second Whyte & Mackay Earls Court Boat Show will run for just five days - half the length of last year's event - and has been brought forward by a week from the originally-announced dates. The new dates are 26-30 November... [more]

Hope Island Resort Marina berths to top $250,000 Bob Wonders, Berth availability on the Gold Coast limited and rentals increasing annually. Hope Island Resort Marina has 210 berths and all are taken with a lengthy waiting list of people keen to secure a 'parking spot' for their boat.... [more]

Bakewell-White design a first ever for Korea Brett Bakewell-White and Sail-World, The first ever race yacht built in South Korea, was launched in mid-April. The 11m yacht is the first of the fleet of eight yachts being built to the Bakewell-White design for the new Korean Match Cup round of the World Match Tour to be held in early June.... [more]

RS Sailboats to be built in Australia Media Services, Laser builder Performance Sailcraft Australia has taken on the successful RS Sailboat range from Britain, and is now licensed to build and distribute all of the RS range in the Asia Pacific region.... [more]

Marina berths named as 'blue chip' investments Bob Wonders, Private marina berths are 'hot property', not only among well-heeled individuals, but also to corporations attracted by the strong retunrs. Expert says existing marinas already boast high occupancy rates and that demand wil only intensify.... [more]

Queensland Government needs to focus on waterways Bob Wonders, If government does not admit to its responsibilites and take charge, boating on the Gold Coast will only diminish. Authorities accused of 'turning a blind eye' to Gold Coast waterway problems.... [more]

Hope Harbour Marina listed for sale Bob Wonders, More than 50 inquiries from all parts of Australia for Gold Coast marina sale. Tenders close May 15 for the valuable site, which comprises 290 freehold berths and the Couran Cove Ferry Terminal and Transit Centre.... [more]

Southport Yacht Club to host marine industry lunch Bob Wonders, Leading lights of the marina industry embrace opportunty to network at Marine Industry lunch. Manufacturers, distributors, media and government representatives among those who have commited to the inaugural Marine Industry Networking Lunch at the Southport Yacht Club.... [more]

Marine Innovation Conference first for Gold Coast Jenny Rogan, Queensland will co-host the nation's first Marine Innovation Conference on the Gold Coast next month. Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle said the 20 May conference was expected to attract an international line-up of marine buyers, manufacturers, builders, operators and executives.... [more]

Superboat Safety: the debate from both sides Jeni Bone, Superboat Safety: the debate from both sides: Yachting NSW, has expressed their concerns about safety and their objections to holding similar events in future on Sydney Harbour. It is also one of the safest sports involving precision machines and racing. 'In 30 years, there have been two fatalities,' Barry-Cotter explained.... [more]

$14 Million Riviera Export Order heads to Europe Denby Browning, Australia's largest luxury boat builder recently has completed a significant overseas shipment of 11 boats valued at more than $14 million.... [more]

Marine industry help on-line from WEST SYSTEM Tracey Johnstone, Gathering information on marine construction and repair materials has never been easier with the recently launched WEST SYSTEM website providing a whole range of easy to access answers. Take a tour around the site and the reader will be impressed by the extent of information available to assist marine professionals and amateurs alike looking to use a WEST SYSTEM product.... [more]

Cookson Boats unveil latest Juan K Supermaxi Richard Gladwell, Sail-World, The latest supermaxi, from the board of Argentina's Juan Kouyoumdjian has been unveiled in a very wet Auckland today. Built by Auckland's Cookson yard the 98ft canting heelboat named Speedboat is for a yet unannounced US owner. She is being lifted onto her keel today and is expected to be launched and sea-trialled in Auckland over the coming weeks before being shipped to USA.... [more]

Longtze Premier at China International Boat Show www.longtze.org, The Longtze Premier team was at the 13th edition of the China International Boat Show, 10-13 April. A production series boat was on display and the Longtze Class Rule were officially unveiled... [more]

New dates for Marine OH&S Induction Course Boating Industry Association Media, BIA NSW have announced new dates for Marine OH&S Induction Course announced for both BIA members & non-members... [more]

Infrastructure Grants Programs closes 24 April NSW Maritime Media, Applications for the 2008 Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Program Grants are now open and will be accepted until Thursday 24 April 2008. Applications for the 2008/09 rounds of the Maritime Infrastructure Program and the Better Boating Program will open in mid-June... [more]

Boat Share Domain Name For Sale Troy Hawkins, 101 Design Pty Ltd currently offers a premium domain name - www.boatshare.asia for sale. Due to circumstances and a change in business plans, the domain name is no longer needed and is currently open to offers from interested parties.... [more]

Founding Editor appointed for MarineBusiness-World MarineBusiness-World.com, Tetra Media, the publishers of Sail-World.com and Powerboat-World.com, is pleased to announce the appointment of Gold Coast journalist Jeni Bone as the Editor of its newest publication MarineBusiness-World.com... [more]

China wins Asia's biggest boating awards , Qingdao was named Asia's Maritime Capital at the fourth edition of the Christofle Asia Boating Awards, held at Le Royal Meridien in Shanghai last night. This is the first time a Chinese city has been awarded such a sought-after accolade. It recognises the tremendous effort that has been put into turning that city into a sailing hub in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games.... [more]

DYT newest ship Yacht Express on maiden Voyage Media Pro Int'l, Yacht Express is more than 130 feet longer than DYT's other carriers and features such added amenities as complimentary cabins, an atrium with lounge bar and swimming pool, restaurant and cinema, as well as conference, media and fitness facilities.... [more]

High Modulus opens China office High Modulus News, High Modulus is pleased to announce the opening of its operation in Qingdao, China, well–placed to serve the company's growing number of Asian customers. Last month the company opened a Representative Office, which will focus on the sales and market development of customers in the region. High Modulus has also entered into a Joint Venture agreement with Sino Composites... [more]

Hempel Paints: the choice of a sailing legend Helen Hopcroft/Tracey Johnstone, As far as famous old salts go, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston is legendary. The first man to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigation in his Bermudan ketch Suhaili, a past winner with Peter Blake of the Jules Verne Trophy for the fastest circumnavigation in 1994 and, at age 68, the oldest competitor in last year's VELUX 5 OCEANS race. Never one to rest on his laurels, Sir Robin is currently overseeing t... [more]

Simrad GB40 – navigation, safety and entertainment Sandman Media, Aside from navigation the easily interfaced via Ethernet and/or USB connection to an autopilot and other instruments, the plug-and-play capability of the GB40 even allows the vessel's onboard entertainment system to be controlled at the touch of a button.... [more]

SeaSpray appointments new Australian Manager SeaSpray Magazine, SeaSpray Magazine announces the appointment of their new Australian Manager, Debbie Kellett with immediate effect.... [more]

Lewmar Portlights Flyscreen upgrade Xpresso PR, A totally new portlight flyscreen (PF2) has been introduced by Lewmar to provide an easier to install and remove screening solution for boats.... [more]

Charter Boat Bikini Girls Run out of Town Vera Knaice, In Fort Pierce, Florida, Gil and Kathi Coombes have run charter boats for years. But it wasn't until this January their business really took off. That's when they added Bikini Girl Charters. For a few extra dollars they'll drop their tops once they get a few miles offshore, but as reported this week on WCTV, 'Smokin'em Charters' was a bit too bawdy for city officials in one U.S. town... [more]

Andrew Short - twenty-six years at the forefront.. Bob Wonders, Being named the world's number one Sea Ray dealer outside the United States is just one of many highlights for Andrew Short Marine Services.... [more]

Finlease's famous free breakfasts at SIBS Jardine Media, No such thing as a free meal? Think again! For the last ten years specialist finance company Finlease has been providing exhibitors at the Sydney International Boat Show with a delicious cooked breakfast every morning. Finlease uses the BBQ of their houseboat office to cook up a storm before the show opens to the public each morning; expect the old favourite bacon, eggs and sausages...... [more]

Oceanic Whitsunday Boat & Leisure Show June 7 & 8 Rotary Airlie Beach, A great line up of exhibitors will be seen at this year's Oceanic Whitsunday Boat & Leisure Show 2008. Local and National dealers on display.... [more]

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